Scottie Scheffler leads at Phoenix Open as Rory McIlroy impresses before play is suspended

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler leads by two strokes at the halfway mark of the WM Phoenix Open in Arizona.

The American followed up an opening round 68 with an immaculate seven under 64 on Friday to head into the weekend with a leading score of 10 under par.

He sits two shots in front of Spain's Jon Rahm and Canada’s Adam Hadwin.

"I think around this place when you're hitting fairways and you're hitting it well, the golf course can kind of open up for you," Scheffler said.

"But the opposite can happen in a hurry because there's trouble lurking on basically every hole with there being desert close by. There's a lot of holes with water as well.

"When you're hitting it well, you have to take advantage of it like I did today. Hopefully, I'll keep putting the ball in position as the week goes on."

Both Scheffler and Rahm are within range to overtake Rory McIlroy for the world number one spot at the conclusion of the tournament.

After carding a first round 73, the Northern Irishman was much improved on Friday, picking up five birdies through 13 holes before play was suspended due to darkness. Play was suspended at 6.07pm local time with about half of the field yet to complete their rounds.

Seamus Power was one of the players to complete his round, with the Waterford man recording a second consecutive round of 71 to sit on level par for the tournament, one shot inside the projected cut line.

Shane Lowry is four over with six holes remaining in his second round.